A tall, genial Dutchman, Rothengatter successfully financed a Grand Prix career after a fairly unspectacular climb through the ranks. Graduating to Formula 2 in 1979 with a Chevron, he looked a little rough round the edges, but the following season, equipped with a Toleman, he improved immensely and scored an excellent win at Zolder.

At this point Rothengatter harboured hopes of a Formula 1 ride, but in the event he missed the first half of 1981 completely before making a brief return to Formula 2, and it was not until 1984 that he finally realised his ambition with the Spirit team, now shorn of Honda power. Halfway through the following season he joined Osella in place of Ghinzani, who had moved to Toleman, and he then had a year with Zakspeed.

Huub had basically just been making up the numbers, but he remained remarkably cheerful nevertheless, clearly enjoying his bit part on the Grand Prix stage. He later successfully managed the budding career of fellow countryman Jos Verstappen.